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Religious Superstition Ain't the Way

Saw this funny pic yesterday on Facebook. It reminds me of the many superstitions that so many of us embrace. Some think that wearing a particular jersey will help their team win the game. It is all very silly but sometimes the silliness spills over to our religious lives. Often we find ourselves thinking that the words of our prayers (or even simply the ones that we confess) have some sort of magical power. In that we miss the main point that the words we speak or pray is all about the things that we have hidden in our hearts. Faith is really the opposition of superstition because it is not about manipulating outcomes but trusting God regardless of how things turn out.

Can you relate to what I am saying? Have you experienced superstition spill over into your life? What are other examples of religious superstition that you have witnessed?

Money. In the Middle Ages people spent great sums to "buy their way into Heaven." I'm thinking not just the infamous Medici family but others in greater or lesser degrees thought the amount they spent on religious "things" and having their own names or likenesses incorporated into religious works would get them a better assurance of getting to heaven.

People still do that today, spending more time and money on having displays of their faith instead of being a display of their faith.

And I'm not saying this from some self-appointed high pedestal. I try to be the best example of my faith that I can be. My Bible is still that white padded leather book with the gilded edges on the pages. Being the prettiest book on the shelf doesn't make the words inside mean anything more.

I find that faith and magic can easily get confused even in my own mind. It is one thing to pray for someone to be healed trusting in God to do what He sees is best and another to feel I am somehow manipulating God do what I want. And I find my mind can easily slip from one to the other.

about bob

I am married, have two grown children and two grandchildren. I have worked as a soldier, software designer, technician, and a pastor. I am now retired. I write here to share my intuitions on life, faith, trivia, politics, entertainment and other stuff. Check out the menu bar above for more info and click on these to follow my internet comings and goings.